The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, features a total prize purse of $20 million [1], [2].
This tournament marks the beginning of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, where performance directly impacts a player's financial earnings and their ability to advance in the postseason.
Competing at TPC Southwind, golfers are fighting for a share of the $20 million [1] total payout. The event serves as a critical filter for the PGA Tour's postseason structure. Only the top 50 [1] players will advance further into the playoffs, making the event a high-stakes battle for both money and positioning.
The distribution of the purse is designed to reward the top finishers while providing significant payouts for those who maintain their standing in the rankings. Because the event is the first leg of the playoffs, the pressure to perform is amplified; players who fail to secure a top-50 [1] spot will be eliminated from contention for the FedEx Cup title.
Memphis serves as the backdrop for this financial and professional crossroads. The payouts are determined by the final leaderboard, ensuring that the highest-performing athletes receive the largest portion of the $20 million [2] fund.
“The 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, features a total prize purse of $20 million.”
The significant purse and the top-50 cutoff create a high-pressure environment where financial gain is tied to postseason survival. By concentrating a $20 million reward at the start of the playoffs, the PGA Tour ensures that the opening event has stakes comparable to major championships, intensifying the competition for players on the bubble of elimination.
